Apparatus for treating a target stain

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for treating a target stain on a target surface with a stain treatment composition. The apparatus includes a pump with a manually compressible pump housing that defines a chamber. The chamber stores the stain treatment composition The apparatus also includes an applicator with an orifice that is in fluid communication with the chamber. The pump and the applicator are positioned such that the pump housing is manually compressible to deliver treatment composition from the chamber directly to a target stain on the target surface by way of the orifice. Further, the pump is elastically constructed such that the pump housing is manually compressible from an initial configuration to displace the treatment composition in the chamber and resiliently returns to the initial configuration after compression.

The present application claims the benefit of pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/731,681, filed Oct. 31, 2005 the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference

FIELD

The present application relates generally to an apparatus and/or method for treating a stain on a target surface More particularly, the application relates to such an apparatus for directly applying a treatment composition on the target stain so as to facilitate removal of the stain.

BACKGROUND

Some situations require the treatment of stains on selected surfaces without treating the entire surface. The objective is to concentrate and limit the treatment to the surface on which the stain is present, without affecting unstained areas or using excess treatment composition. In some applications, the treatment composition may potentially cause harm to adjacent unstained areas In other applications, it may not be feasible to treat and clean the entire surface For example, the entire surface may be too large to clean or it would be wasteful to treat surfaces other than the stained surface In other applications, it is desirable to treat the stain expeditiously and without the delay that would accompany treatment of more than the target surface

In these applications, the cleaning process entails selecting a definite surface portion to treat (ice., a target surface) and applying the appropriate chemical composition to treat the subject stain. Application in many cleaning processes will also involve agitation of the target stain with the treatment composition using a separate brush, rag, or the like. The mechanical action available from such agitation helps further apply the chemical composition and break down the properties of the stain.

SUMMARY

The present application provides an apparatus for treating a target stain on a target surface with a stain treatment composition, the apparatus comprising:

a pump having a manually compressible pump housing that defines a chamber storing a stain treatment composition; and

an applicator having an orifice in fluid communication with the chamber, the pump and the applicator being positioned such that the pump housing is manually compressible to deliver treatment composition from the chamber directly to a target stain on the target surface by way of the orifice; and

wherein the pump housing is elastically constructed such that the pump housing is manually compressible from an initial configuration to displace the treatment composition in the chamber and resiliently returns to the initial configuration after compression.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus for treating a target stain on a target surface;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded and perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a dispensing tip for the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the dispensing tip in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a closure cap for the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front, plan view of an agitator for the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an alternative apparatus for treating a target stain on a target surface; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a pump housing for the apparatus in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 provide various views of a preferred apparatus 100 for treating a stain on a surface. The treatment apparatus 100 is a manually operable device for dispensing and directly applying the treatment composition on and around a target stain in controlled amounts so as to facilitate removal of the target stain. Target surfaces include substrates such as textile fabrics, upholstery, and carpets, and hard surfaces such as vinyl. The preferred apparatus is also used to safely apply and conveniently store the treatment composition,

Stain treatment compositions suitable for use with the apparatus include most, if not all, of the commonly available liquid compositions that are presently marketed as suitable to treat stains on surfaces such as those described above. These include, but not limited to, treatment compositions containing liquid bleach, enzymes, and/or a surfactant These treatment compositions are typically stored in conventional containers (e.g, a tube or can) and applied with a sprayer, brush, rag, roller, or felt tip, Common treatable stains include those caused by food, dirt, ink, or ink. It is further contemplated that the apparatus may also be used to store and directly apply liquid treatment compositions that are not yet commercially available, as long as such compositions may be safely stored in the pump housing and deliverable therefrom to a target stain.

In some applications, it is preferred that a stain treatment composition used with the apparatus does not include a bleaching agent, Certain surface areas may be damaged if contacted by the bleaching agent. Such contact could occur due to spreading or wicking of the stain treatment composition from the target surface to adjacent unstained areas. Alternatively, the bleaching agent may be potentially harmful to the surface on which the stain is present. For example, the automobile upholstery is typically provided in a color material, which may be damaged by the bleaching agent, In these cases, it is advantageous that a stain treatment composition does not include the bleaching agent or similar harmful agent.

In this regard, a preferred stain treatment composition is provided that has the following general composition and preferred ranges: about 90.0% to about 99.0% water, about 0.1% to about 5.0% of at least one surfactant component (i.e., surfactant, dispersant, and/or emulsifier), about 0.05% to about 1.0% of a least one preservative, 0% to about 1.5% fragrance as an optional component, and about 1.0 to about 10.0% of at least one polar solvent Suitable polar solvents include, for example, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and glycol ethers.

Further, an exemplary stain treatment composition formulation comprises the following ingredients:

-   about 93-89% water (excluding the water amounts from the other     ingredients); -   about 3.75% surfactant component provided by about 1.50% sodium     laroyl -   sarconsinate (30% in water) and about 2.25% sodium lauryl sulfate     (28% in water; -   about 0.20% preservative mixture in the form of bicyclic     oxazolidines; -   about 0.02% fragrance blend of choice; and -   about 2.05% isopropyl alcohol 99% or anhydrous, as the polar     solvent.     The preservative mixture, bicyclic oxazolidines, may be a mixture     comprising the following: -   50% water; -   16% 5-Hydroxyinethyl-1-aza-3,7-dioxabicyclo(3.3.0) octane; -   28% 5-Hydroxymethoxymethyl-1-aza-3,7-dioxabicyclo(3.3.0) octane; and     5% 5-Hydroxypoly[methyleneoxy(74% C2, 21% C3, 4% C4, 1%     C5)]-methyl-1-aza-3,7-dioxabicyclo(3.3.0) octane.

The apparatus 100 may be described as having three distinct operable sections The middle section is a pump body 102 (or simply, a pump 102) that includes a resilient pump housing 104. The pump housing 104 defines an internal chamber 106 for safely storing a treatment composition (not shown in the drawings). The apparatus 100 further includes an applicator assembly 108 for dispensing and then applying the treatment composition onto the vicinity of the target stain. The applicator assembly 108 receives the treatment composition from safe storage in chamber 106 upon operation of the pump 102. Moreover, combination of the pump 102 and applicator 108 allows the user to directly apply the treatment composition to a target surface in a controlled manner (in terms of location, rate, and amount), while operating a single device.

A third section of the apparatus 100 is an agitator 110 that is preferably attached to the pump 102 at an end opposite of the applicator assembly 108 The agitator 110 is used to agitate (eagc, scrub) the vicinity of the target spot upon application of the treatment composition thereon. Thus, the preferred apparatus 100 provides in a single manually-operable device, a tool for storing, controllably dispensing, and directly applying treatment composition to a target stain on a target surface, and agitating the stain and treatment composition about the target surface.

The pump 102 is preferably configured as a selfstanding, positive displacement pump. The pump housing has a hollowed body that is a manually compressible (i.e., deformable) to displace and deliver viscous treatment composition from the chamber 106 to the applicator assembly 108. The pump housing 104 is also sufficiently resilient such that it automatically returns to its initial compressible configuration, Such a pump housing is referred to as having an elastic construction. Resiliency may be achieved by selecting suitable plastic materials for the pump housing 104 and employing a suitable configuration, One suitable configuration is the totally enclosed, hollowed configuration depicted in FIGS. 1-3, wherein the pump housing 104 has a sufficiently firm (non-collapsible) end walls at an anterior end 112 and at a posterior end 116 and an elongated, tapered circumferential surface.

The pump 102 is preferably constructed from a plastic material that imparts flexibility and resiliency to the pump housing 104, such as polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and the like. In one configuration, the pump housing 104 is generally elongated and provided with an anterior end 112 to which the applicator assembly 108 is attached and a posterior end 116 to which the agitator 110 is detachably attached As best illustrated in FIGS, 1 and 2, the pump housing 104 has a generally tapered construction—as viewed from the anterior end 112 to the posterior, end 116. Further, the housing 104 is preferably wider at the anterior end 112, but taller at the posterior end 116 An exterior surface 104′ of the pump housing 104 serves also as a handle 104′ for the apparatus 100.

The pump housing 104 is further provided with laterally directed feelers 114 on its top and bottom sides In alternative embodiments, the feelers 114 may be provided on one or more other sides. The feelers 114 help the user to locate, position, and grip the pump 102 during operation of the applicator assembly 108 or the agitator

The above-described construction features enhance the capability of the pump 102 to deliver treatment composition from the chamber 106 to the applicator assembly 108 Moreover, these features facilitate manual operation of the apparatus Specifically, a user can readily hold and maneuver the apparatus 100 by way of the handle 104′ of the pump housing 104 and direct the applicator assembly 108 to the target stain. The flexibility and resiliency of the housing 104 allow the user to squeeze and compress the housing 104 with ease thereby displacing treatment composition in the chamber 106 toward the anterior end 112, and then, directly onto the target stain. As discussed above, the user can also manually control the rate of dispensing In this way, the amount of treatment composition dispensed may be readily confined to the target stain This avoids waste and use of excess treatment composition and possible damage to contacted surfaces that do not exhibit stains.

The chamber 106 is defined, in the described embodiment, by the internal walls of the housing 104. At the anterior end 112, an outlet nozzle 118 extends longitudinally from the housing 104. The nozzle 118 has an open, internal end that fluidly communicates with the chamber 106 and an open external end that fluidly communicates with a dispensing tip 126 and an orifice 128 of the dispensing tip 126 As shown in FIG. 3, two strands of threads are disposed about the nozzle 118: first thread 120 and second thread (not shown).

The applicator assembly 108 includes a closure cap 124 and the dispensing tip 126, both of which are threadedly engaged with the outlet 118. The closure cap 124 threadedly engages the first threads 120 while the dispensing tip 126 threadedly engages the second threads.

Referring to FIG. 3 as well as FIG. 4, the dispensing tip 126 has a bell-like shape that terminates at the fluid orifice 128. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the apparatus 102 is about 5.8 cm long—from the closure cap to the bristles of the agitator, and a maximum of about 1.62 cm high. The closure cap in this embodiment is about 1.4 cm at its widest and about 0.90 cm at its minimum. Furthermore, the agitator is preferably configured in a semi-rectangular shape with a height of about 1.56 cm and a width of about 1.06 cm. As for the dispensing tip 126, it preferably has a diameter of about 0.45 cm and a maximum height of about 0.55 cm. A suitable orifice may be sized at about 9 mm diameter. Further, the chamber 106′ in this embodiment may provide a volume of about 4 oz, Moreover, the components of the apparatus are preferably made of a polypropylene material. Another suitable material is a high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Various components of the apparatus may be formed using a blow molding process, injection molding process, and/or other suitable manufacturing process.

Referring to FIG. 6, the apparatus 102 includes, as added feature, an agitator 110. To accommodate the agitator 110, the pump 102 is configured with a generally rectangular-shaped end cap 150. The agitator 110 includes a base 152 that defines a slot 154 that matches the end cap 150. The slot 154 slottedly engages the female cap 150 to lock the agitator 110 onto the pump 102. Typically, the agitator 10 includes multiple sections and rows of generally firm bristles 156, as shown in FIG. 6. The bristles 156 allow the user to apply and distribute treatment composition on and around a target stain. The bristles 156 also allows the user to scrub the target surface with the treatment composition, thereby providing the mechanical action that allows the composition to penetrate the stain and break down the properties of the stain. By maneuvering the pump 102 about the handle 104′, the user can move the agitator 110 and the bristles 156 directly into the target stain.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an alternative apparatus 200 for treating a stain. The apparatus 200 includes a pump body 202, an applicator 208, and an agitator 210. The pump 202 is generally elongated and has a preferred tapered construction. In this embodiment, the pump 202 includes an unthreaded tube outlet 218 onto which a flow regulator 260 of the applicator 208 may be inserted. A spring device 262 may be positioned adjacent the flow regulator 260 to secure the flow regulator 260 in place The flow regulator 260 includes an orifice 262 that fluidly communicates with the nozzle 218 and thereby, with a chamber 216 of the pump 202. FIG. 8 provides a cross-section of the pump 202 illustrating the housing 204 that defines the chamber 206 and the outlet nozzle 218 that fluidly communicates treatment composition in the chamber 206 with the applicator assembly 208.

While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments and examples, it is not restricted to those embodiments and examples. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In further embodiments, for example, the apparatus may be provided with a housing having a different shape or material construction, a differently configured agitator and/or a different type of treatment composition. Other variations of the apparatus may incorporate different material compositions in the other components of the apparatus, as well as different configurations, again without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for treating a target stain on a target surface with a stain treatment composition, the apparatus comprising: a pump having a manually compressible pump housing that defines a chamber storing a stain treatment composition; and an applicator having an orifice in fluid communication with the chamber, the pump and the applicator being positioned such that the pump housing is manually compressible to deliver treatment composition from the chamber directly to a target stain on the target surface by way of the orifice; and wherein the pump housing is elastically constructed such that the pump housing is manually compressible from an initial configuration to displace the treatment composition in the chamber and resiliently returns to the initial configuration after compression.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an agitator attached to the pump housing such that the agitator is positionable through handling of the pump housing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the agitator includes a brush.
 4. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pump housing has a generally elongated body, the applicator being attached to a first end of the pump housing and the agitator being attached to a second end of the pump housing.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the applicator includes a dispensing tip having the orifice and the agitator includes a brush, the applicator being attached to an anterior end of the pump housing and the agitator device being attached to a posterior end, wherein each of the applicator and the agitator is manually operable from the pump housing.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump housing is constructed of a plastic material
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump housing and applicator form a generally elongated, tapered construction, the applicator having a lateral dimension reduced from a lateral dimension of the pump housing in a section adjacent a first end whereto the applicator is attached.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the applicator includes a dispensing tip having the orifice.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle provided by an exterior surface of the pump housing, such that the pump and applicator are manually operable therefrom.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chamber stores a stain treatment composition comprising water, a surfactant component, a preservative, and a polar solvent.
 11. An apparatus for treating a target stain on a target surface with a stain treatment composition, the apparatus comprising: a pump having a manually compressible pump housing that defines a chamber for storing a stain treatment composition; an applicator having an orifice in fluid communication with the chamber, the pump and the applicator being positioned such that the pump housing is manually compressible to deliver treatment composition from the chamber directly to a target stain by way of the orifice; and an agitator attached to the pump housing such that the agitator is operable by manual handling of the pump housing about the handle.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pump housing is elastically constructed such that the pump housing is manually compressible from an initial configuration to displace the treatment composition in the chamber and resiliently returns to the initial configuration after compression;
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pump housing has a generally elongated body, the applicator being detachably attached to a first end of the pump housing and the agitator device being attached to a second end of the pump housing.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a handle provided by an exterior surface of the pump housing, such that the pump and applicator are manually operable therefrom.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pump housing is constructed of a plastic material.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the agitator includes a brush for applying the treatment composition to the target stain.
 17. An apparatus for treating a target stain on a target surface with a stain treatment composition, the apparatus comprising: a pump having a manually compressible pump housing that defines, internally, a chamber for storing a stain treatment composition and, externally, an outer surface that provides a handle for the pump, wherein the pump housing is elastically constructed such that the pump housing is manually compressible about the handle from an initial configuration to displace the treatment composition in the chamber and resiliently returns to the initial configuration after compression; an applicator attached to a first end of the pump housing having an orifice in fluid communication with the chamber, the pump and the applicator being positioned such that the pump housing is manually compressible about the handle to deliver treatment composition from the chamber directly to a target stain by way of the orifice; and an agitator attached to a second end of the pump housing such that the agitator is operable by way of the handle of the pump housing.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the agitator includes a brush for applying the treatment composition to the target stain.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the pump housing is constructed of a plastic material.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the pump housing has a generally elongated body, the applicator being attached to a first end of the pump housing and the agitator device being attached to a second end of the pump housing.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the pump housing and applicator form a generally elongated, tapered construction, the applicator having a lateral dimension reduced from a lateral dimension of the pump housing in a section adjacent a first end whereto the applicator is attached.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the chamber stores a stain treatment composition comprising: water; a surfactant component; a preservative; and a polar solvent.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the chamber stores a stain treatment composition comprising: about 90.0% to about 99.0% water; about 0.1% to about 5.0% of at least one surfactant component; about 0.05% to about 1.0% of at least one preservative; and about 1.0% to about 10.0% of at least one polar solvent. 